Ancestor Group Portrait

1796–1820

Ancestor Group Portrait, 1796–1820. China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Jiaqing period (1796-1820). Hanging scroll, ink and color on paper; overall: 278.2 x 112.2 cm (109 1/2 x 44 3/16 in.); painting only: 157.2 x 90.2 cm (61 7/8 x 35 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Joyce G. Ames in honor of her husband B. Charles Ames 2019.82 From top to bottom this scroll features various generations of ancestors with men on the right and women on the left, 30 figures altogether. Inscribed tablets give their rank and relation within the family. Square badges on their robes indicate each figure's rank as an official. Scrolls of this type were displayed for worship at home during the New Year celebrations. Court officials' wives could wear the same rank badge as their spouses.